(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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A week passed...
It had been a week since Titanic first graced the enchanted screens of Clover Kingdom,
Yet the frenzy showed no sign of fading—
In fact, it was growing stronger by the day.
Every morning, the lines outside the theaters seemed longer,
Winding through the streets like living rivers of excitement.
Posters depicting the majestic ship and the two lovers at its heart adorned every corner,
From the noble districts to the farthest commoner markets.
The economic experts and royal accountants were in disbelief.
" "
" "
" "
Numbers that once seemed unimaginable now danced before their eyes in golden ink.
The reports spread through the royal chamber like wildfire—
"Your Majesty,"
One of the senior accountants stammered, clutching his parchment,
"the Crown's treasury has increased by three-fourths beyond the usual annual tax intake… in a single week."
Ben, seated casually in his chair,
Simply leaned back, fingers steepled.
The faintest smirk tugged at his lips.
Smirk~
"Three-fourths, you say?"
He mused.
"And I thought nobles only paid attention when the wine ran dry."
The councilors exchanged glances, unsure whether to laugh or tremble.
Even the most skeptical economists were forced to concede—
This new "movie" was more than entertainment.
It was an industry.
Every merchant, tavern owner, and craftsman had felt the ripple.
Snack stalls near theaters flourished.
Tailors sold more clothes for "movie outings."
Even the paper mills and mana crystal suppliers saw unprecedented demand.
Flintoff Draintip, standing proudly near a projection of the profit charts, adjusted his spectacles.
"The data indicates exponential growth, Your Majesty,"
He said, excitement barely contained.
"Even if the frenzy slowed by half, it would still outpace the kingdom's best harvest year!"
Another advisor, eyes gleaming with greed, leaned forward eagerly.
"Your Majesty, we should continue running Titanic throughout the entire year. Every city, every village—make it a permanent attraction!"
The room fell silent for a moment before Ben let out a low chuckle.
" "
" "
" "
Chuckle~
"If you run a miracle every day,"
He said, his voice carrying quiet amusement,
"people forget it's a miracle."
He stood, gazing out the tall window that overlooked the capital—
The lines of people still forming, laughter echoing through the streets.
"No… Let them crave it,"
He continued.
"Let them talk, dream, and remember. Then—when they least expect it—we'll show them another story."
Flintoff grinned knowingly.
Grin~
"Another story, sire?"
Ben turned his head slightly, that mysterious spark of creativity already lighting his eyes.
"Yes. If the sea moved them to tears…"—
His lips curled into a faint smile—
"…then let's see how they will react when they see..."
Creak~
" "
" "
" "
The heavy doors of the throne room creaked open,
And a guard stepped in, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty,"
He said, his voice formal yet cautious,
"Lady Nebra Silva of the Silver Eagle has arrived. She requests an audience with you."
Ben paused mid-thought, arching an eyebrow.
"Nebra?"
He murmured, surprised.
After a moment, he nodded.
Nod~
"Let her in. And clear the room."
At his command,
The accountants, advisors, and scribes hurriedly gathered their scrolls and ledgers,
Bowing as they left.
Soon, the grand hall fell silent—
" "
" "
" "
Thud. Thud.
Thud.
Save for the echo of Nebra's light footsteps as she entered.
She was dressed elegantly, her silver hair flowing freely,
But the moment her eyes met Ben's, the composure cracked.
Her smile bloomed like sunlight after rain,
And she dashed forward—
"Ben!"
Before he could even react,
She flung her arms around him,
Hugging him tightly.
Ben chuckled, half amused, half caught off-guard, patting her back.
Chuckle~
"You're supposed to bow, you know,"
He teased.
"That's what people usually do in a throne room."
She pulled back just enough to pout.
Pout~
"Oh, please. You think I'm going to waste time curtsying when it's been weeks since I've seen you?"
Ben smirked.
Smirk~
"You saw me on the premiere day of Titanic, remember?"
Nebra's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Yes—but you vanished before I could drag you to watch it again!"
He laughed softly, shaking his head.
"So that's why you're here? A royal request to go to the movies?"
She crossed her arms dramatically.
"Partly. You promised you'd take me to some place I wanted to go, remember? I want the best seat in the royal theater."
Ben sighed in mock defeat, the corners of his mouth lifting.
Sigh~
"Fine, fine. I'll take you. I swear it on the royal treasury."
That earned him a bright grin before her tone grew softer,
Grin~
" "
Her eyes dimming with something more serious.
"But that's… not the only reason I came."
Ben noticed the shift instantly.
The playful atmosphere faded as he gestured for her to sit.
She approached the dais and took the seat beside him,
Her hands clasped nervously in her lap.
"I've been having dreams, Ben,"
She began quietly.
"Dreams about… my mother."
Ben's relaxed expression slowly hardened into something thoughtful.
"Acier Silva,"
He said, his tone respectful.
"The former captain."
Nebra nodded.
Nod~
"Yes. It's strange… she's there, standing somewhere bright, like a place between life and death. She's always reaching for someone—a man, I think—but I can never see his face. Every time she tries to say his name, something drowns out her voice. It feels… important. Real."
Ben leaned forward slightly, fingers tapping the armrest.
"You're sure this isn't just a dream born from longing?"
Her gaze flickered upward, meeting his.
"I thought that too. But it keeps coming. Every night. The same vision, the same shadowed man. Even Noelle said she felt… something strange when I told her."
For a long moment,
Ben said nothing.
" "
The grand room seemed to hold its breath,
The only sound the soft hum of mana lamps burning along the walls.
Then, his eyes narrowed slightly—
A rare flicker of unease crossing his face.
"A shadow beside the dead…"
He murmured.
"If it's not memory, then it might be a message."
Nebra blinked, startled.
"A message?"
Ben rose from his throne,
Turning toward the massive stained-glass window that overlooked the kingdom.
His voice grew lower, thoughtful.
"Dreams don't always come from within, Nebra. Sometimes, they're echoes… sent from the other side of the veil. Especially if magic or unfinished fate is involved."
He turned back to her, his expression steady but shadowed.
"Tell me everything. Every detail—no matter how small."
As Nebra began recounting every fragment of her dreams,
Ben listened intently, the gears in his mind turning.
Whatever this was—
It wasn't ordinary.
And if Acier Silva's spirit truly lingered,
It meant something deeper was stirring in the Clover Kingdom's unseen realms.
The moment Nebra finished recounting her dream,
A sudden flutter of wings broke the silence of the throne room.
Flap~ Flap~
Flap~ Flap~ Flap~
The sound echoed sharply against the marble pillars.
Ben and Nebra both looked up just as a dark shape swooped in through one of the tall arched windows.
It wasn't a crow—
No, this one was larger,
Its feathers deep violet-black that shimmered faintly under the mana lights.
A raven.
The bird circled once above the throne before gracefully landing on the ornate handle beside Ben's seat.
Its black eyes gleamed like polished obsidian,
And tied around its neck was a small,
Sealed note with crimson wax bearing an unfamiliar sigil.
Ben arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.
"A raven messenger,"
He murmured.
"That's… not something you see every day."
Nebra leaned closer, fascinated.
"Who would even use a raven instead of a magic courier?"
Ben untied the note and unsealed it carefully.
The parchment inside was aged yet delicately perfumed—
Handwritten in fine, elegant strokes of dark ink.
As his eyes scanned the contents,
His expression slowly shifted from curiosity to surprise.
" "
"It's… an invitation,"
He said, almost incredulous.
"From whom?"
Nebra asked.
He exhaled slowly, glancing again at the signature at the bottom.
"The Witch Queen."
Nebra blinked, stunned.
" "
"Wait—the Witch Queen? As in the Witch Queen of the Forest of Witches? But—"
"—men are forbidden there,"
Ben finished for her, his voice thoughtful, laced with mild amusement.
He turned the parchment over again,
Checking for any enchantments or hidden glyphs.
None.
Just a genuine,
Hand-written invitation sealed by the Witch Queen herself.
"It says she's holding a spring festival in the forest,"
He continued, his brow furrowed.
Frown~
"A celebration of the season, honoring the birth of new life and the renewal of mana. And apparently…"
—he paused,
Reading the next line again to be sure—
"she personally requests my presence."
Nebra gaped.
Gasp~
"Personally? Why would she do that? You're the King of Clover, not one of her subjects!"
Ben smiled faintly, though his eyes had turned contemplative.
"That's exactly what makes this interesting. The Witch Queen doesn't invite outsiders, let alone men. Either she's found something she wants to show me…"
He trailed off, folding the parchment carefully.
His tone darkened just a fraction.
"Or something she can't handle herself."
Kraaa~
" "
Flap~
The raven let out a soft kraa as if agreeing, its wings rustling.
Ben glanced at it, his mind already shifting through possibilities.
A festival might be the cover—
But if the Witch Queen was reaching out to him directly,
He looked back at Nebra, who was watching him curiously.
"Seems I'll be making a trip to the Witch Forest."
Nebra frowned, her tone sharp with concern.
Frown~
"Ben, it's dangerous. You know their rules—men who trespass are—"
"Executed,"
Ben finished, his smirk returning, calm and confident.
Smirk~
"But I have a feeling this invitation is my pass. And if not…"
He turned to the raven, which spread its wings as if awaiting command.
"Then I'll just have to convince the Witch Queen herself."
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(Author's POV)
(A/N)Thanks for reading the chapter!
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